How to make a linocut print for beginners

Beginner's Guide to Linocut Printing

with professional artist Michelle Hughes

Enroll now

Beginner's Guide to Linocut Printing

Create your first hand-printed artwork with professional linocut artist Michelle Hughes

Have you ever wanted to try linocut printing but felt unsure where to begin?

In this beginner-friendly online course, I’ll guide you step by step through carving and printing your first original linocut print.

Linocut is a wonderfully satisfying process. With just a few simple tools, you can create artwork by hand that reflects your own style and creativity.

By the end of the course, you’ll have the skills and confidence to continue exploring linocut printing at home.

"I have always wanted to learn how to linocut, but didn’t know where to start. This course has given me all the basic steps to begin, but also inspired me with ideas for how to mark make in order to progress designs. Very clear and concise, I also loved that I can pause the content or slow it down to really study the technique.
Thank you, Michelle."

Emma

About the course

In this course, I’ll guide you through the same techniques I teach in my in-person linocut workshops. Through step-by-step video lessons, you’ll learn how to create a one-colour linocut print from start to finish.

You’ll learn how to:

Transfer a design onto lino
Carve safely using linocut tools
Create a range of textures and marks
Ink your lino block correctly using water-based or oil-based inks
Print by hand without a press

The course includes:

A tools and materials guide.
Instructional videos and step-by-step guides covering each stage of lino printing.
Carving demonstrations showing a range of mark-making techniques.
Printing demonstrations covering how to roll out ink, ink your lino block, print by hand, and clean up afterwards.
Design templates to help you get started.
Helpful hints and tips to refine your carving and printing.

You’ll also have access to:

Monthly live Zoom Q&A sessions
A private Facebook group
Email support

You can work through the lessons at your own pace from home.

Course Trailer

Who is this course for?

This course is perfect for:

Complete beginners who want to learn linocut printing
Anyone looking for a relaxing, creative hobby
People who enjoy making things by hand
Artists wanting to explore printmaking techniques

You don’t need any previous printmaking experience. And if drawing isn’t your thing, don’t worry. I provide downloadable design templates you can use.

As a self-taught linocut artist, I understand many of the challenges you may face when making your linocut prints. My course helps you build confidence by sharing the skills and techniques I’ve learned over the years.

Start your linocut journey

If you’ve been curious about linocut printing, this course will guide you through the process step by step.

Enroll now

Meet your teacher: Michelle Hughes

Linocut artist Michelle Hughes

Hello, I’m Michelle. I’m a professional linocut artist based in York, North Yorkshire, inspired by British landscapes, wildlife and nature. Before starting my own business in 2016, I spent 25 years working as a textile, fashion, and homeware designer, developing products for high-street retailers. I began lino printing with just a small set of tools and quickly fell in love with the process. Things snowballed from there! I now sell my original linocut prints through my online shop, galleries and events. Since 2017, I’ve been teaching linocut through workshops and online courses, helping others discover how enjoyable printmaking can be. In February 2026, I published my first book, Printing Birds and Wildlife in Linocut.

Course reviews

Great introduction to lino printing

Clare Dobson

The course was informative and covered everything you needed to know to get started with lino printing. It was great to be able to go at my own pace and re-w...

The course was informative and covered everything you needed to know to get started with lino printing. It was great to be able to go at my own pace and re-watch the content when I was in the position to actually start cutting and printing. Well worth the price. I'll be purchasing the next one very soon.

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The level of detail is top notch!

Andrew Walker

I had tried linocutting and printing before, using books and a training DVD, without much success. The books don't show sufficient detail and the DVD mainly ...

I had tried linocutting and printing before, using books and a training DVD, without much success. The books don't show sufficient detail and the DVD mainly showed the artist rather than what they were doing. This course is so much better - the videos show close-ups of the workpiece and tools. Not views of one or two quick cuts and then the finished block, but every cut is shown. This is exactly what I need as a beginner. Very, very good.

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Brilliant and very easy to follow

Lynne Glazzard

This is a great introduction to Linocut print. It’s very well structured and easy to follow. It’s great to be able to go back over a section to revise it. ...

This is a great introduction to Linocut print. It’s very well structured and easy to follow. It’s great to be able to go back over a section to revise it. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to learn something about linocut printing. The list of tools and resources is also very useful

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Linocut for beginners

Rachel Derbyshire

A fabulous course -thank you! I've thoroughly enjoyed it and learnt so much!

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Methodical and thorough

Peter Amphlett

A methodical and thorough, step-by-step guide to basic lino printing. I picked up several really useful tips and ideas that's given me the impetus to look at...

A methodical and thorough, step-by-step guide to basic lino printing. I picked up several really useful tips and ideas that's given me the impetus to look at Michelle's next online course and her face to face classes too.

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Inspiring

Richard Brett

I have been wanting to do some linocut printing for a long time but have always been too nervous to make the leap as I was unsure of where to begin. This cou...

I have been wanting to do some linocut printing for a long time but have always been too nervous to make the leap as I was unsure of where to begin. This course was just the thing I needed; it has taught me all the basics, inspired me and I am now confident enough to start. Thank you Michelle

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Very clear and inspiring! Can't wait to get going with so...

Caroline Eason

Iv'e been to a couple of workshops before but the tips and tricks of mark making will come in very handy! The colour palette you use and the inspiration from...

Iv'e been to a couple of workshops before but the tips and tricks of mark making will come in very handy! The colour palette you use and the inspiration from your garden makes me want to go around my own now for ideas!

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Brilliant!

Emma McKenzie

I have always wanted to learn how to lino cut but didn’t know where to start. This course has given me all the basic steps to begin but also inspired me with...

I have always wanted to learn how to lino cut but didn’t know where to start. This course has given me all the basic steps to begin but also inspired me with ideas of how to Mark make in order to progress designs. Very clear and concise, I also loved that I can pause the content or slow it down to really study technique.Thank you Michelle.

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great intro course

Mhairi FitzPatrick

I found this a great inroduction to lino printing. I am a rusher by nature so this was well structured to put me through all the basic steps and get a good ...

I found this a great inroduction to lino printing. I am a rusher by nature so this was well structured to put me through all the basic steps and get a good understanding from the outset of what is possible at the beginner level. It's harder than it looks! Thanks to Michelle and I am looking forward to trying out some of my own designs. What attracted me to the course was Michelle's own work which i find inspiring. Mhairi FitzPatrick

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"Loved it"

Shirley Stone

A really enjoyable course to do at your own pace. " I'm now addicted to printing & love it"

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Fabulous course

Don Harquail

Great course, very precise, got lots of tips I had not seen in books, will certainly take the next course, and hope more courses to be offered. Thanks so much

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Course curriculum

1. Welcome and lesson plan (Downloadable PDF)
2. Introduction (Video)
3. Tools and materials guide (Downloadable PDF)
4. Michelle’s Studio Tour (Video)
5. How I create my linocut prints (Video)
1. How to carve your design into a lino block (video)
2. Mark making sampler example (PDF)
1. Introduction to printing a lino block (Video)
2. Learn how to ink and print your lino block (Supporting PDF)
3. Printing area set and preparing your blocks for printing (Video)
4. Printing demo A: Printing using water-based inks (Video)
5. Printing demo B: Printing using Cranfield Caligo Safe Wash oil-based inks (Video)
6. Printing demo C: Printing using Hawthorn’s Stay Open oil-based inks (Video)
7. Printing a gradient or rainbow roll (Video)
8. Cleaning up your inks: Water-based and oil-based inks (Video)
1. Planning your design (Video)
1. Projects to try (Video)
2. Bonus demo: Carving and printing meadow floral design (Video)
1. Resources and support (Video)
2. Resources and support (Supporting PDF)
3. Live Q&A Zoom dates
4. Frequently asked questions (PDF)
5. Design templates: 10 hand-drawn botanical and nature-themed designs (Downloadable PDF)
6. Inspiration: 10 pages of photos of plants and flowers from my garden (PDF)
7. Extra resources: Examples of printed lino prints in water-based and oil-based inks (PDF)
8. Extra resources: Paper advice (PDF)
9. Extra resources: Design software advice (PDF)
10. Ready to learn more? Find out about my follow-on courses

Beginner's Guide to Linocut Printing

£55.00
28 lessons
2.5 hours of video content

What materials do you need?

One of the best things about linocut is that you don’t need expensive equipment to begin.

Basic tools include:

Lino cutting tools (£6–£8)
SoftCut lino (£6 for a pack of 10 small sheets)
Water-based printing inks (from £5-10 per colour)
Ink roller or brayer (£6-£9)

You can often buy a complete starter set for £30–£40.

You’ll also need some basic art supplies such as pencils, tracing paper, printing paper and a wooden spoon for hand printing.

Full details are included in the course notes, and you can also read my tools and materials guide here.

What students say

"I have had great fun making my first linocut print, by following Michelle's on-line instruction course. I'm a complete beginner, and so was curious to see how linocut works.

The video guides for each lesson, and section of development, were clear, and offered useful hints and tips. Following the practice advice of mark making with the tools was especially good to follow, as this then gave me the confidence to explore my own marks and patterns for my first print design.

The whole process was good fun, and I was really pleased that I finished with prints that I can now send as presents to friends.

I'm hooked and can't wait to have another go, and make some cards. The joy is that I can do this anytime, and just refer back to each lesson whenever I need to.

So big thanks to you, Michelle."

Enroll now

FAQ's

Have another question? I’m here to help. Please contact Michelle at [email protected]

What is linocut printing?

Linocut printing is a form of relief printmaking in which a design is carved into a linoleum block. Ink is rolled onto the remaining raised surface and then printed onto paper, either by burnishing the back of the paper with a spoon to transfer the ink or by using a press to create a print. Linocut is popular with beginners because it requires simple tools and can be done at home without a printing press. Think of it like a homemade stamp. Multiples of the same image can be printed from the same block with colour variations.
Is this course suitable for beginners?

Yes. The course is specifically designed as a beginner linocut course. It takes you through the process step by step, even if you’ve never tried printmaking before.
Do I need to be able to draw?

You don't need to worry if you think you can't draw. I’ve drawn a selection of nature and botanical-themed templates for you to download and use to create your first linocut prints.
When does the course start?

You can start any time. The course is self-paced, so you can work through the lessons whenever it suits you.
How long does the course take?

The course teaches the same skills I cover in my one-day linocut workshops. The difference is that you can pause, rewind and revisit the videos whenever you like.
How long do I have access to the course?

You’ll have access to the course for one year, allowing you to study at your own pace and from the comfort of your home. I understand that life can get busy. If you need more time, just let me know, and I’ll be happy to extend your access.
Do I need internet access for the course?

Yes. The videos and on-screen PDFs are all available to stream. The linocut tool and material guide PDF and design templates are downloadable.
Is there online support?

Monthly Live Q&A: Join me in my studio for a 30-minute live Zoom session each month. Dates can be found in the resources section of my course. Facebook Group: My private Facebook group is open to everyone who’s taken one of my online courses or workshops. It's a great place to share progress and ask questions. Email Support: You’re always welcome to email me directly with any questions.
Can I print without a press?

Yes! All you need to print is a wooden spoon!

Lesson 1 - Introduction

Lesson 2 - Learn how to carve lino

Lesson 3 - Learn how to ink and print a lino block

Lesson 4 - Planning your design

Lesson 5 - Projects to try

Lesson 6 - Resources and support

Beginner's Guide to Linocut Printing